Meditation Training

Since 1990, meditation has been a major presence in my life. The shape and focus of my meditation practice has shifted and developed over time, but sitting and being still every day has not. I am very grateful that my life direction has supported my ability to honor the practice of daily meditation since I first thought, some twenty years ago, “I’ll give this meditation thing a try.”

The Benefits Of Meditation

I know I am supposed to write a list of all the benefits of meditation to convince you that you should do it. Truthfully, there are too many, plus the list would change every day if I wanted to stay current. For me, the aspect of a daily meditation practice that I am typically most grateful for is the experience of being present. Sharing with another person what “being present” feels like, or what it has cultivated in my life, is like trying to tell someone what love feels like and why its good if they have never experienced it. I am amused by the abundance today of cute paperback books on mindfulness and being present, marketed for anyone and everyone, regardless of their lifestyle or personal/spiritual commitments.

“My son was having trouble figuring out his career and direction in life in general. After just three sessions with Michael, he had a plan and started taking steps! I am so thrilled we found Michael!”

Liz

My Style Of Meditation

I often feel like I come from the Shaquile O’Neal School of Meditation. For those of you that do not follow sports, Shaquile O’Neal was a basketball player who was fouled often and shot many free throws, more than any other player in the league at that time. One would assume since he was a trained, professional athlete and wanted to master his craft, Mr. O’Neal would excel at free throw shooting, or at least be proficient based on the amount of practice and repetition. He never achieved even mediocrity as a free throw shooter. I have always felt that this is my experience as practitioner of meditation. Just because I do it a lot doesn’t mean I am any good at it! I certainly am more competent and skilled than when I started, but mediation practice is a practice and not a perfection, at least that is my experience, and it informs my teaching.

If you are feeling moved towards beginning or strengthening your meditation practice, I may be able to help. Before we go any further, I need to share with you that it’s not easy and takes relentless commitment to sustain, until we begin to experience the fruits of our labor. They rarely come quick. Meditation is not a microwave process, more like a wood stove, it takes a while to get warmed-up.

Sitting Still Doing Nothing – Meditation Training Experiences

“The essential Taoist approach to life is captured in the phrase ching-jing wu-wei, literally, ‘sitting still doing nothing.’

‘Doing nothing’ doesn’t mean sitting around all day like a lump on a log, but rather doing only those things that really need to be done and doing them in a way that does not run counter to the natural order of Tao and the patterned flow of cosmic forces.

It means engaging only in spontaneous, unpremeditated activity, doing things purely for their own sake rather than for ulterior motives, and living in harmony with rather than trying to conquer nature. Perhaps most importantly, wu-wei means knowing when to stop rather than overdoing things and knowing when to refrain entirely from inappropriate action.”

Providence Life Coaching & Reiki Counseling Location and Rates

I work out of the Providence Zen Center in Cumberland, RI. I am not a licensed counselor in Rhode Island, therefore, I do not accept insurance. I offer a sliding scale fee ($60-$120) based on your own discernment of need. I accept cash, checks, Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express and Pay Pal.

I invite you to contact me to see if we are a good fit to work together.

Online Support

I am now accepting online clients through Skype and Google Hangouts! This allows us to work together if you are outside of my local area. I find this work supporting and effective. I invite you to contact me to schedule our first session today.